Variety of geranium named Louise

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of ivy geranium that has a long trailing habit, a strong zone and a soft medium salmon pink appearance against a medium green foliage.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofPelargonium×peltatum known by the varietal name "Louise". The newvariety was discovered in a selective breeding program at Oglevee, Ltd.by Linda S. Wiles. The new variety is a selection from a seedling crossfrom Nanette, the seed parent,×Nicole, the pollen parent, (U.S. PlantPat. Nos. 7,360 and 7,358, respectively).

The new cultivar was discovered in 1993 at 152 Oglevee Lane,Connellsville, Pa., was first asexually reproduced by cuttings on Jan.25, 1994 at Connellsville, Pa. It has been found to retain its distinctcharacteristics through successive propagations.

The new cultivar has long trailing habit similar to the variety Nanette.The new cultivar's color is not similar to either parent and its habitis longer than the variety Nicole.

The new cultivar, when grown in a glass greenhouse in Connellsville,Pa., using full light, 60° F. night temperature, 68° F. day temperature,and grown in a soilless media with constant fertilizer of 200-250 partsper million nitrogen and potassium, has a response time from a rootedcutting to a flowering plant in 10 cm. pot of six weeks.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawing illustrates a new cultivar, the color being astrue as possible with color illustrations of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The following detailed descriptions set forth the characteristics of thenew cultivar. The data which define these characteristics were collectedfrom asexual reproductions carried out by Oglevee Ltd. in Connellsville,Pa. The plants were started as rooted cuttings which were potted andthen flowered six weeks later. The plant histories were taken of plantsblossomed under full light in a greenhouse and color readings were takenindoors under 200-220 foot candles of cool white fluorescent light.Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart of The RoyalHorticultural Society of London.

The Plant

Classification:

Botanical.--Pelargonium×peltatum.

Commercial.--Ivy geranium named "Louise".

Height: 26 to 28 cm. above media surface.

Growth: Cascading mound.

Foliage: Slightly reflective, slightly pubescent; stalked leafattachment.

Leaves:

Size.--8 to 11.5 cm.

Shape.--Reniform, cordate base, zig-zag undulation.

Margin.--Pedately lobed.

Texture.--Leathery, smooth.

Color.--Top: Green Group 137A; Bottom: Green Group 137D; Zone: BrownGroup 200A.

Ribs and veins.--Venation: Palmate. Color: Yellow-Green Group 146C.

Petioles:

Length.--5.5 to 8 cm.

Color.--Yellow-Green Group 146C.

Stem:

Color.--Yellow-Green Group 146C.

Internodes.--4.5 to 6 cm. in length.

The Bud Cluster

Shape: Elliptical cluster.

Size: 4 to 5 cm.

Inflorescence

Blooming Habit: Free, early and continuous flowering.

Borne: Florets on pedicel, pedicel on peduncle 6.5 to 9 cm. abovefoliage.

Closed florets:

Bud size.--Just showing color at 9 mm. wide and 1.9 cm. long.

Size: Fully Open Bloom: 10.5 to 13 cm.

Open florets:

Form.--Semi-double; open to slightly cupped; irregularity caused bypetaloids.

Color.--Top: Red Group 52C with Red Group 52B veins. Overall PetalColor: Red Group 52C. Bottom: Red Group 48D. Eye: Upper three petals areRed Group 52C with Red Group 53A and Red Group 49D veins.

Petals: 13 in number; petal arrangement gives the floret a frillyappearance.

Size: 5.3 to 5.8 cm. across.

Texture and appearance: Satiny; appearance from a distance is a softsalmon pink above medium green foliage.

Petaloids:

Quantity.--8.

Shape.--Irregular, tubular, twisted, partial petal types.

Color.--Top: Red Group 52C; Bottom: Red Group 49A with light veining atRed Group 49D.

Pedicel:

Length.--3 to 4 cm.

Color.--Yellow-Green Group 146C.

Peduncle:

Length.--18 to 22 cm.

Color.--Yellow-Green Group 146C.

Disease resistance: Not known.

Lasting quality: Less prone to shattering.

Reproductive Organs

Stamens:

Anthers.--2.5 to 3 mm. in length.

Filaments.--0.4 to 0.9 cm. in length, white blushed with petal color.

Pollen.--Golden Yellow.

Pistils:

Number.--1 per floret.

Stigma.--5 lobed.

Length.--0.8 to 0.9 cm.

Stigma.--Red-Purple in color.

Style.--5 cm. in length.

Ovaries.--Color: Green, pubescent; superior. Length: 6 mm.

Fruit: None observed.

General Characteristics

A new geranium that is a long trailing ivy geranium similar to SalmonQueen. Large Florets, a strong zone, rooting ease and speedy finishingtime are all improvements over Salmon Queen.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of ivy geranium plant as shownherein and characterized by a long trailing habit, a strong zone and asoft salmon pink appearance above medium green foliage.